When Things Get Shaky: Managing Seizures in Dogs and Cats

Gaemia Tracy, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Gaemia Tracy was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn Hills Senior High School. Dr. Tracy attended The University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts (Biology) degree. While there, he played baseball and Sprint Football. He attended The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine from 2008-2012. Immediately after graduating veterinary school, Dr. Tracy completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Tracy then completed a Neurology and Neurosurgery residency in Jacksonville, FL at North Florida Neurology with Dr. Andrew Hopkins and Dr. John Meeks as his mentors. Dr. Tracy’s professional interests include IVDD, spinal surgery, management of seizures and inflammatory diseases of the brain and spinal cord. In his free time, Dr. Tracy enjoys spending time with his family, taking in any baseball game, and cheering for the Buckeyes and Steelers! Dr. Tracy will assess your pet for neurological and neuromuscular disorders including but not limited to seizures, limb paralysis, weakness, balance disorders, vision disorders, epilepsy, concussions, spinal cord injuries resulting from slipped discs, spinal fractures, tumors, acute trauma or infection.

Overview:

Join us for a compelling session where you'll gain essential insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and management of seizures in your feline and canine patients. This talk will cover the latest advancements in anticonvulsant therapies, emergency intervention techniques, and long-term care strategies. You’ll leave with practical knowledge and confidence to effectively support pets and their owners through seizure events. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your clinical skills and improve the lives of your patients.

Learning Objectives:

Define and differentiate between seizure types, including generalized and focal seizures.
Identify common causes of epilepsy in dogs and cats based on patient age and diagnostic
findings.
Describe the diagnostic workup for a patient presenting with seizures, including laboratory and
imaging studies.
Compare available treatment options for seizures, including monotherapy and combination
therapy.
Outline the emergency management steps for status epilepticus and cluster seizures.

This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.